The Milan exchange. (Milan, Gibson County, Tenn.) 1874-1978, 1887-05-28
THE LITTLE CANNON.
How Arthur and Ken Saved tho Dime for
Its Purchase, and What Came Of their
DisObedience.

How Arthur and Ken Saved tho Dime for
Its Purchase, and What Came OF their
DisObedIence.
Cant you find time to-day, papa,
to take the boys to the barber's?"
asked Mrs. Loring, combing out
S arl in Arthur's long hair.
"Sorry, my dear, but can't posi-
bly," returned Mr.. Loring, hurrying
on his overcoat. "Why not let them
60 by themselves? You know where
Mr. Shaw's shop is, don't you, Ar
thur?"
Eyes, oh, yes, papar' cried Arthur,
coasting gayly down the ironing-board,
which formed toboggan slide be-
tween the lounge and the floor
'Well, off with you, then! Ask Mr..
Shaw to cut your hair, and here's the
money to pay him." said their papa,
tossing each of the lads silver quar-
ter as he fastened away.
80 mamma, please give me and Ar
thur a dime to buy a little cannon.
They have beauty cannons at the Five
Cent Store" cried Ken, bringing his
Overshoes to his mamma. Arthur
could put on his own, but Arthur was
seven years old, while Ken was only
five.
''No, no; you can't have any more
playthings this month; so don't tease"
replied their mamma, with a goodbye
kiss. Now, be my dear little boys,
and come straight home as soon as
your hair is cut"
eyes, mamma" cried they in a
breath, dashing away with Bruno at
their heels.
Around the corner they came upon
meddlesome Jimmy Jackson, shovel
ing path.
Hello, youngsters, where are you
goingp" he cried.
ITO the barber's," responded Ar
thur, promptly, as if they were quite in
the habit of going there alone.
1--WE got twenty-five cents to pay
Mr. Shaw, and Arthur's got twenty-five
cents" volunteered Ken, displaying
his silver coin.
"Whew! that's big price! car
show you a neat place where they'll
give you a cut for twenty cents" said
Jimmy, leaning on his shovel.
But papa told us to go to Mr.
Shaw's," returned Arthur, wavering.
"Well, s'pose he didn't know abou
Stubs. Stubs is new man-ius
put out his sign. See it way down thu
street-that striped poleP"
The boys gazed with admiration a
the imposing object
"Oh, get your hair cut at Stubbs's
] would" urged Jimmy, mindful o
the half-pint of peanuts Mr.. Stubs haC
promised him for every new customer
he should send. Save you five cent
apiecer'
Five cents and five cents would
make whole dimer' whispered Arthur
to Ken, his eyes shining,
"Oh, no! and we could buy the it'll
cannon" cried Ken, frisking about il
a circle.
You'd better hurry, or you'll
lose your chance" suggested artfu
, Jimmy.
, This decided the question. N
, longer hesitating, the boys scamperet
down the street, and entered the strang
BARRIERS shop. When they came out
call shaven and shorn," each carried
, in triumph shining nickel; and the
darted off toward the five cent store il
the widest haste, as if the store wer
$ built on wheels, that might trundle j
, away at any moment. On arriving a
q the enchanted palace of toys, the
t spent the nickels without ,islsv, ant
| became the joint owners of b,isSt
| new cannon.
t But as Arthur trudged homewar
, with the long-desired treasure, hi
: sleepy little conscience began t
r waken.
0 "S'pose papa'll care cause we didn
e mind him?" said he, aiming a snow
5 ball at lamp-post and hitting hi
o brother.
O "Mdmma'U care" snarled Ken, hi
f ting back. "What you s'pect man
# mall say cause you bought that car
- non?"
"You bought it your own self just q
much as did, Ken Loring. l shouldn
g have thought of it if it hadn't been fC
# you" retOrted Arthur, blowing h
e fingers, chilled by the cold metal.
e Mamma said we musE't have an
r more playthings this month" pursue
Ken, with an untimely rush of mer